Universal clamping device



Dec. 28, 1965 R. G. PRElssER 3,226,104

UNIVERSAL CLAMPING DEVICE Original Filed March 11, 1963 3 Sheets-Sheet ln i] Wi; 1li/Ui ,QV/gf vEN-roR BY /C ATTORNEY UNIVERSAL CLAMPING DEVICEOriginal Filed March l1, 1963 5 Shets-Sheet 2 FICLB f1- A TORNEY Dec.28, 1965 R. G. PREISSER 3,226,104

UNIVERSAL GLAMPING DEVICE Original Filed March l1, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 3PasI-noN 3 I6 POSITION 1 POSITION '2 PosmoN 3 FIGS FIG. IO

ITTQINI Y United States Patent O 3,226,104 UNIVERSAL CLAMPING DEVICERaymond G. Preisser, Farmington, Conn. (RED, Forestville, Conn.)Continuation of application Ser. No. 265,012, Mar. 11, 1963. Thisapplication Nov. 9, 1964, Ser. No. 409,772 6 Claims. (Cl. 269-227) Thisapplication is a continuation of my application Ser. No. 265,012, filedMar. 11, 1963, now abandoned.

This invention relates to a work clamping device for use in retaining awork piece in position during a cutting or other operation while mountedon the table of a machine tool and for ejecting the work piece from thedevice after completion of the operation.

A primary object of the invention is to provide a pair of work clampingjaws, one jaw being fixed and the other mounted for pivotal movementtoward the other, both jaws being mounted on the upper surface of aslide housed and movable within a supporting body member.

Another object of the invention is to provide a cam member on the bodymember engaged by the pivotal jaw during movement of the slide so that awork piece may be positioned between the jaws when slightly opened in aninitial position of the slide and then clamped therebetween in advancedslidable positions of the slide.

A feature of importance of the invention is that the member having thecam surface may be adjusted toward and from the slidable jaws toaccommodate work pieces of different diameters and resiliently pressedtoward a limited position toward the slidable jaws to apply the clampingpressure.

Another object of the invention is to provide ejecting means for thework piece acting after operation on the -work piece has been completedto eject the work piece from between the jaws when the jaws have beenmoved with the slide to the end of their sliding movement.

And finally it is an object of the invention to provide fixed guidingmeans on the body member for a drill or other tool and to providelimiting means for the sliding movement of the slide to retain a workpiece in fixed position below the guiding means during operation.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention may include thefeatures of construction and operation set forth in the followingspecification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the accompanying -drawings annexed hereto and form-ing a part of thisspecification, I have shown the invention embodied in a device adaptedto be mounted on the table of a machine tool, but it will be understoodthat the invention can be otherwise embodied and that the drawings arenot to be construed as defining or limiting the scope of the invention,the claims appended to this :specification being relied upon for thatpurpose.

; In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of one form of the device made according to thepresent invention with the work clamping jaws in their retractedpartially open loading position;

FIG. 2 is an en-d view in elevation of the device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary plan view of the clamping device shown in FIGS.1 and 2, the jaws being moved from their loading position to a clampingor operative position, the slide mounting the jaws being moved to anintermediate position;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 with the slide and jaws shown intheir advanced work ejecting position;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the device shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 adapted for adrilling operation, showing a bracket fixed to the body member forguiding a drill or other tool 3,226,104 Patented Dec. 28, 1965 ICSrotatable in a fixed spindle above the table on which the clampingdevice is mounted and having means to limit movement of the slide to anintermediate work clamping position;

FIG. 6 is an end view in elevation of `the device shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a detail vertical view of one of the work clamping members,the view being shown in section taken on the plane of line 7--7 in FIG.4;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the work clamping member shown in FIG. 7, theview being taken on the plane of line 8-8 in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of a modified form of the device, the slidecarrying the clamping jaws being shown in three successive positions;and

FIG. 10 is an end elevation of the device shown in FIG. 9.

In the above-mentioned drawings, there has been shown but one embodimentof the invention and a modification which are now deemed preferable, butit is to be under` stood that changes and modifications may be madewithin the scope of the appended claims without departing from thespirit of the invention.

Referring more in detail to the above referred to drawings and first toFIG. 1, it will be seen that the device comprises a body member 10adapted t-o be movably mounted on or secured in fixed position to thetable of a machine tool. To secure the clamping device to a table, lugs12 .are provided at opposite ends to receive bolts or other fasteningmeans entering T slots in the table. O11 the body member 10 is a slide14 movable in a horizontal plane. To move this slide 14 a rack 16 isprovided extending along one of its sides and engaging the teeth of agear 18 rotatably mounted on the body member. To rotate this gear 18 ahand lever 20 extends radially therefrom as shown. Operation of thehandle 20 moves the slide 14 in a straight line between parallel ways 21provided on the body member 10.

On the upper surface of this slide 14 are work clamping jaws one ofwhich 22 is fixed rigidly to the slide 14 by any appropriate means, suchas screws 23. The opposite jaw 24 is pivoted at one end to the slide 14for pivotal movement about stud 25 toward and from the fixed jaw 22.Within each jaw 22 and 24 is fitted a work clamping member 26 for workpieces W of different diameter presently to be described more in detail.The pivotally mounted jaw 24 is provided with a lateral projection 28 atits free end adapted for engagement with the surface of a bearingmember`30 -adjustably mounted along one side of the slide 14. Within thesurface of this bearing member 30 contacting the projection 28 is arecessed portion 32 yforming a cam surface. In the position shown inFIG. 1 the slide 14 is in its initial or loading position so that thefree end of the pivotal jaw 24 engages the cam portion 32 of the`bearing member 30. In this position the jaws 22 and 24 are slightlyseparated to permit insertion of a work piece W between the insertedmembers 26 positioned within adjacent surfaces of the jaws. Forwardmovement of the slide 14 forces the pivotal jaw 24 toward the fixed jaw22 by reason of the free end of the pivotal jaw 24 passing beyond thecam 32 surface of the backing member 30. The work piece W is thereforefirmly clamped between the jaws during this movement of the slide andjaws.

Continued movement forwardly of the jaws 22 and 24 with the slide 14causes the free end of the pivotal jaw 24 to pass beyond the end of thebacking member 30 so that the jaw 24 may swing away from the companionjaw 22 for enough to permit the work piece W to fall from the device. Toaid in ejecting the work piece W from the device, a spring wire member34 is pivotally mounted on the pivotal jaw 24 for swinging movementabout the screw 35, one end being movable between spaced studs 36 and 38upstanding from a fixed portion of the body member 10. The opposite endof this spring wire member 34 is curved `as shown so that as the jaws 22and 24 move forward the curved end swings against the side of the Workpiece W. As soon as the free end 28 of the pivotal jaw 24- passes beyondthe end of the backing member 30 and the jaws 22 and 24 open, thepressure of the spring member 34 against the work piece W is greatenough to eject the work piece from the device.

As best shown in FIG. l of the drawings, the bearing member 30 is springpressed forwardly against the pivotal jaw 24 by helical springs 37housed within the backing member 30. The pressure of these springs 37may be varied by screws 39 bearing against an abutment member engagingagainst the outer ends of the helical springs 37. To limit the forwardmovement of the bearing member 30, headed screws 40 are providedthreaded into the bearing member 30, their shanks passing freely throughthe xed portion of the body member 10. The movement of the bearingmember 30 is therefore limited by the heads of the screws 40 taking upagainst the outer surface of the fixed portion of the body member 1G.

To adapt the device for drilling or other operations on a work piece Wretained between the clamping member 26 in the jaws 22 and 24 while theslide 14 and jaws 22 and 24 are in a fixed predetermined position, abracket member 41 is fixed in position on a side surface of the bodymember by a vertically adjustable member 42 so that with the body member10 clamped to a machine tool table a central opening 44 in the bracket41 will be positioned directly in alignment with the xed axis of arota-table tool spindle (not shown) of the machine tool on the table ofwhich the device is mounted. The bracket member 41 as shown in FIG. 5 isvertically adjustable by screws 46 entering the body member 10 andextending through slots formed in the vertical member 42 of the bracket.Also screws 47 respectively engaging elongated slots formed in thehorizontal member 41 and threaded into the vertical member 42 permithorizontal adjustment of the bracket member 41.

T o limit the forward movement of the slide 14 and jaws 22 and 24 duringthis type of operation to bring the work piece W directly below theopening 44 in the bracket member 41, an adjustable stop is provided. Asmall bracket 48 is fastened to the end of the body member 10 adjacentone end of one of the jaws 22 and overhanging the path of movement ofthe jaw. The outer end of this bracket 48 is provided with an adjustingscrew 50, the inner end of which bears against an abutment or screw 52extending from the end of the jaw 22. With the end of the screw bearingagainst the end of lthe jaw 22, the opening 44 in the bracket 40, afterproper adjustment of the screws 50 and 52, will be directly below theaxis of a spindle (not shown) on the machine.

To employ the device for these drilling operations the slide 14 and jaws22 and 24 are first moved to their rearward position in which positionthe pivotal jaw 24 has its free end entering the recessed cam surface 32to slightly separate the jaws. In this position of the jaws a work pieceW may be placed between the work engaging members 26 after which theslide 14 and jaws 22 and 24 are advanced to their position limited bythe adjustable stop 48-50. In this position the axis of the work piece Wwill be directly in alignment with the opening 44 in the bracket 40above the jaws 22 and 24. Also in this operating position the work pieceW is firmly clamped by the free end of the pivotal jaw 24 bearingagainst the unrecessed portion of the bearing member 30.

To locate work pieces W accurately between the jaws 22 and 24, thecylindrical members 26 referred to above are inserted in recesses formedin the jaws as shown in FIGS. l, 3, 4 and 5. These inserted members 26are in positions directly opposite each other and each member 26 has aseries of V-shaped notches of different sizes formed in its periphery.Work pieces therefore may be inserted within opposed notches to clampwork pieces of different diameters in position. The member 26 within thexed jaw 22 is adjustable to different rotative positions to present anotch of the proper size for the particular diameter of the work piece Wbeing operated on. For this purpose the lower end of this insertedmember 26 is squared as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 and ts a slot or recessin the bottom of the recess for the inserted member. A screw 54,threaded into the lower end of the inserted member 26, retains themember in adjusted rotated position. The inserted member 26 in thepivotally mounted jaw member 24 may be rotatable within its recess sothat its V notches will position themselves properly relative to thesurface of the work piece W.

For operations upon work pieces by a grinding wheel (not shown) bypassing the work piece W below the grinding surface i-t is convenient tohave a dressing tool in position for reconditioning the grindingsurface. For that purpose a diamond dressing tool 56 is mounted in avertical position on a horizontal surface of the body member 10.

Referrng to the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 9 and l0, it willbe seen that the body member 10, slide 14 and the operating means forthe slide 14 are in every way similar to those shown in the precedingfigures. The clamping jaws 60 and 62 for the work piece, however, aredisposed so that the clamping action of the pivoted jaw 62 is in adirection parallel to movement of the slide 14 instead of normal theretoas in the earlier described form of the invention. Fixed jaw 60 issecured to the upper surface of the slide 14 by suitable screws asshown. Jaw 62 is pivoted at 64 and preferably is provided with a roller66 at its outermost end for engagment with a cam surface.

Bearing member 30 operates in every way similar to that shown in FIGS. lto 6 but as shown is mounted at the front of the device instead of atthe rear. At an intermediate position along this bearing member thebearing surface is provided with a recess 33 similar to the recess shownin FIGS. l, 3, 4 and 5. Movement of the slide 14 by lever 20 actuatesthe slide 14 from a retracted position in which the roller 66 is withinthe recess 32 formed in the bearing member. In this position of theslide 14 and jaw 62 a work piece may be inserted between the clampingsurfaces of the jaws.

Movement forward of slide 14 serves to engage the roller 66 with theplane surface of the bearing member 30 and firmly clamps the work piece.When the slide 14 is moved to its advanced position, roller 66 runs offthe end of the bearing member 30 and permits opening of the jaws 60 and62. At this point in the movement of slide 14 the work piece contactsspring 68 adjacent its free end and forces the work piece laterally fromthe device. As shown, spring 69 has one of its ends attached in fixedposition to an upper surface of the body member 10.

It will be seen that the pivotally mounted jaw 62 comprises a threearmed lever, the pivot 64 being at an intermediate part of said lever.The work clamping member for this jaw is at the end of one of the arms.Another arm carries the cam engaging roller 66. With jaw member 62formed and actuated in this manner, the movement of the work clampingmember 26 on jaw 62 moves in a direction parallel to the movement of theslide 14 when clamping a work piece. The lateral position of acylindrical work piece therefore is always with its axis centrallydisposed relative to the clamping members. Variations in diameter ofwork pieces therefore Will not vary the position of a work piecelaterally.

I claim as my invention:

1. A clamping device for work pieces being operated on in a machinetool, comprising a body member adapted for attachment to the table of amachine tool and having a guideway therein,

a slide movable along said guideway,

mechanical means to actuate said slide,

work clamping jaws on said slide, one of said jaws being tixed to theslide and the other pivotally mounted thereon for swinging movementtoward and from the xed jaw,

and a generally longitudinally extending cam on said body member havinga cam surface engaging said pivotally mounted jaw member during itsmovement to slightly pivot said jaw, whereby said pivotally mounted jawmay be moved from its work piece receiving position to a work piececlamping position during a portion of the movement of said slide.

2. A clamping device for work pieces being operated on in a machinetool, comprising a body member adapted for attachment to the table of amachine tool and having a guideway therein,

a slide movable along said guideway,

mechanical means to actuate said slide,

work clamping jaws on said slide, one of said jaws being fixed to saidslide and the other jaw being pivotally mounted adjacent one end forswinging movement toward and from the xed jaw,

and a generally longitudinally extending cam on said body member havinga cam surface engaging the free end of said pivotally mounted jaw memberduring movement of said slide and jaws to slightly pivot said jaw,whereby said pivotally mounted jaw may be moved from its work piecereceiving position to its work piece clamping position during a portionof the movement of said slide.

3. A clamping device for work pieces being operated on in a machinetool, comprising a body member having a guideway therein,

a slide movable along said guideway,

rack and gear means to actuate said slide,

work clamping jaws on said slide, one of said jaws being pivotallymounted for swinging movement toward and from the other jaw,

and longitudinally extending cam means engaging said pivotally mountedjaw during movement of said slide and jaws, whereby said pivotallymounted jaw may be moved from its work piece loading position to itsclamping position during a portion of the movement of said slide and maybe moved to a work releasing position at the end of the slide movement.

4. A clamping device for work pieces being operated on in a machinetool, comprising body member extending in the direction of the movementof said slide and having a cam surface engaging said pivotally mountedjaw during movement of said slide and jaws to slightly oscillate saidpivotally mounted jaw, whereby the clamping surfaces of said pivotallymounted jaw are moved in the direction of movement of said slide fromwork piece receiving position to work piece clamping position. 5. Aclamping device for work pieces being operated on in a machine tool,comprising a body member adapted for attachment to the table of amachine tool and having a guideway therein,

a slide movable along said guideway,

means to reciprocate said slide,

a pair of work clamping jaws on said slide, one of said jaws being fixedto said slide,

the other jaw being pivotally mounted thereon for swinging movementtoward and from the first jaw,

and a generally longitudinally extending cam on said slide having a camsurface engaging said pivotally mounted jaw throughout movement of saidslide whereby said pivotally mounted jaw may be moved to its work piececlamping position in the direction of movement of said slide during aportion of the movement of said slide and disengaged from said camsurface at the end of movement of said slide.

6. A clamping device for work pieces being operated on in a machinetool, comprising a body member adapted for attachment to the table of amachine tool having a guideway thereon,

a slide movable along said guideway,

means to reciprocate said slide,

work clamping jaws on said slide,

a generally longitudinally extending cam on said body member having acam surface thereon,

one of said jaws being xed to said slide,

the other jaw comprising a three armed lever, one arm of which carries awork piece clamping jaw, another arm of which has a member engaging saidcam surface during movement of said slide, and the third arm of whichprovides a pivot for said lever, whereby oscillation of said lever aboutsaid pivot during movement of said slide permits a work piece to bepositioned between said jaws at one end of the slide movement, clampedtherebetween during intermediate portions of said slide movement andfinally released therefrom at the opposite side of the slide movement.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS WILLIAM W. DYER,JR., Primary Examiner.

ROBERT C. RIORDON, Examiner.

1. A CLAMPING DEVICE FOR WORK PIECES BEING OPERATED ON IN A MACHINETOOL, COMPRISING A BODY MEMBER ADAPTED FOR ATTACHMENT TO THE TABLE OF AMACHINE TOOL AND HAVING A GUIDEWAY THEREIN, A SLIDE MOVABLE ALONG SAIDGUIDEWAY, MECHANICAL MEANS TO ACTUATE SAID SLIDE, WORK CLAMPING JAWS ONSAID SLIDE, ONE OF SAID JAWS BEING FIXED TO THE SLIDE AND THE OTHERPIVOTALLY MOUNTED THEREON FOR SWINGING MOVEMENT TOWARD AND FROM THEFIXED JAW,